Jalama ... the perfect place to surf,
sunbathe or simply explore. Miles of sandy beach, waves breaking on the
shore, and little sign of civilization. Yet this Santa Barbara County Park
is fully equipped to to serve the needs of year-round campers and
day-trippers.

History

A portion of the park near Jalama Creek
was a Chumash Indian settlement for centuries until the villagers were
taken to La Purisima Mission (during the rule of the Spanish in
California). As the surrounding area became more populated, local
residents began to use Jalama for leisurely outings. In 1943 the Atlantic
Richfield Company (ARCO) donated 23.5 acres to the County of Santa
Barbara. Jalama is surrounded by private property, so please respect the
neighbors.

Popular Activities

Camping might be considered the most
popular activity at Jalama Beach but there are many other things to do.
Activities include surfing, windsurfing, fishing (perch, cabezon, kelp,
bass, or halibut), bird watching or just enjoying a day at the beach. Just
remember all plants, animals and archaeological resources are protected by
law and cannot be collected or disturbed. Migrating California Grey whales
can be seen from February through April and again from September through
November. Jalama Beach is located just south of Vandenberg Air Force Base.
If you happen to be at Jalama when a satellite is being launched from
Vandenberg you will be treated to a spectacular view as the rocket roars
into space.

Store and Grill

The Jalama Beach Store has all you need to
enjoy the day or the week. The store is well-stocked with groceries,
camping accessories, personal care items, firewood, fishing bait and
tackle, fishing licenses, ice, beer, wine, souvenir items, clothing and
toys. The store is so well-equipped that if you showed up at Jalama Beach
with nothing other than your car you could probably find everything you
need to camp for a week. The grill, which is home to the famous "Jalama
Burger," also has a full menu to satisfy all tastes. The store and grill
are open daily. Hours vary with season. Summer store hours typically are 8
a.m. - 7 p.m. Summer grill hours are typically 8 a.m. - 6:45 p.m. For more
information visit the Jalama Beach
Store & Grill web site.

Amenities

Campsites: There are 98 campsites, all overlooking the ocean or
beachfront. Each site has a picnic table and BBQ pit, with hot showers,
restrooms and water nearby. Campsites are assigned on a first
come, first served basis. Two vehicles are allowed in each campsite.
Premium on-the-beach campsites cost more than basic campsites. If you
plan to exceed the number of days requested when you first arrived you
must renew your reservation before 11 a.m. You may hold your campsite
for up to 14 days. A primary camper may request to move to a vacant
campsite at anytime (see Park Rules below for
details).

Trailers: 29 of the campsites offer electrical hookups for trailers.
There are two sewage dump stations available in the park.

Playground: There is a children's playground with climbing and
swings, a large sandbox and a lawn.

Restrooms: There are 5 separate restroom facilities located around
the park. They can be easily identified by their turquoise
cylindrical-shaped walls. Each restroom has a sink with soap, paper
towels and electrical outlet.

Showers: There are 10 showers attached to a single building located
near the front entrance of the park. Each
shower is completely private with its own outside entrance and a locking
door. Inside there is a changing area with a small bench, two coat hangers on the wall
and a shower stall. There is
no shower curtain so things you put in the changing area may get wet. The water
is coin-activated and costs 25 cents for 1 minute of water (quarters
only). Don't load the coin slot up with quarters (it jams) but instead
put in a new quarter each time the water turns off. You might consider
putting in a coin to see if the coin slot is jammed before you undress.
When all 10 showers are in use at the same time the water can be
cool-to-warm instead of hot. To avoid waiting in line don't
use the showers in the late afternoon / early evening. The showers are
cleaned and sanitized every evening.

Grill:
There is a grill with full menu and a dining area with a spectacular
view. The menu is on display on the outside of the building so be sure
to read it before you go inside. You order food at a window inside the
store and they
will give you a numbered ticket. You must present your ticket to get
your food. If you lose your ticket before you pick up your food plan on
purchasing your meal again.

Dogs:
Your dogs are
welcome but must be on leash (6 ft or less) at ALL times including while on the beach.
When at your campsite they can be on a leash or in a cage.
There is a small daily fee per dog. You must have proof of rabies
vaccination (tag on neck or paperwork is acceptable proof) upon entrance
into the park. Owners must pickup after their pets.

Phones &
Internet: There are two payphones near the front gate at Jalama Beach.
There is no cell phone reception and no Wi-Fi Internet access. Where
Jalama Road goes over a hilltop, approximately 9 miles (17 minutes) from Jalama
Beach, you can receive a steady 3-out-of-5 bars of AT&T cell phone reception and 3G data.
Other carriers might also be available. When you get to this special
spot there is a large dirt area to pull off the road and a small white
sign labeled "Jalachichi."

If
no reservations available for general camping at Jalama Beach the
unreserved sites fill up quickly. Consider calling
the park office a few days before you arrive and find out how busy the
campground is. High or low demand for camp sites will affect which
strategy you must use to get a spot.

All campers
wanting a camp site must drive out to Jalama Beach must drive out to the park and get your name on a waiting
list. The earlier you get there the better. If your name is called and you are at the flag pole at 3 p.m. you can
get in. If you're not there at 3 p.m. they give your spot to the next person
on the list. If they call your name, and you are there, you also have
the option of rolling your name over to the next day's list. This puts you
ahead of everyone who arrives the next day.

During the busy summer season the aggressive out-of-town camper shows up
at Jalama Beach at 6 a.m. (which is when the park attendant arrives at the
front gate), puts their name on a waiting list, gets a day pass and hangs
out at the beach until the 3 p.m. roll call. If you are lucky this is good
enough to get you in.

Keep in mind
four things: 1) everyone who put
their name on the list at 3 p.m. *the day before* is potentially ahead of
you no matter how early you get there, 2) most people already camping at
Jalama Beach have the option to stay another night which affects camp site
availability, 3) during the busy summer season it is not unusual to have
15-20 campers on the signup list by 6:30 a.m. so during the summer don't
plan on getting a camping spot the same day as you arrive if you first
arrive in the afternoon. 4) Non-summer months are not as busy and you
don't need to worry as much about getting a spot.

Sometimes during the summer, if it is very busy, you may need to drive to the Jalama Beach a
day or two in advance, put your name on a list, and keep coming back at 3
p.m. to keep your name on the list. If you are traveling a long distance
to Jalama Beach this means you may need to stay in nearby
Lompoc.

It may seem
like a hassle, but this is such a great camping spot that dedicated
campers are willing to drive out day after day to get in. The remote
location, the amenities, the beach - who exactly knows why. But this is a
very, very popular campground.

Park Rules

Please take a
moment to view these important rules. These rules do not reflect all the
park rules and regulations. For additional information please ask a park
ranger. Jalama has resident rangers available 24 hours a day. For after
hour emergencies or problems (such as after hours noise) call 911 and a
resident ranger will respond.

Vehicles: Park speed limit is 5 mpg. No off road vehicles are allowed.
All vehicles must be operated by a licensed driver. All traffic is
restricted to designated roads. Vehicles must have valid registrations.

Camping
is only allowed in designated campsites. Campsites are issued on a first
come first serve basis. There is a limit of 2 vehicles and 8 people per
campsite. Each campsite has a fire pit and picnic table.

Fires
are only permitted in designated fire rings or grills

All
camping gear and vehicles must fit within your campsite boundaries

Quiet
hours are from 10 p.m. until 8 a.m. Please avoid using radios, loud
voices or any other activities which disturbs neighboring campsites.

Firearms, fireworks, weapons of all kinds including bows and arrows,
slingshots and BB guns are not permitted.

Public
nudity is strictly forbidden. Abusive or indecent language or gestures
are prohibited.

Please
remember that this is a fragile habitat. Help protect and preserve this
wonderful resource for future generations.

Campsite
renewal time is before 11 a.m. and checkout time it no later that 2 p.m.

Pets
must be on a leash 6 ft or less, or confined to a cage. Proof of rabies
vaccination is required upon entrance to the park. Owners must pickup
after their pets.

No
vicious or noisy pets will be allowed. Pets may not be left unattended.

Generator hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. No noisy generators will be
allowed. Excessive use of generators will not be tolerated.

Music is
allowed from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Any excessively loud music, with heavy
bass, or music with offensive language will not be tolerated.

Day use
hours are from 6 a.m. until dark. Any vehicle entering before 6 a.m.
will be charged for camping. All vehicles entering the park must have a
valid permit.

Campsite
Move Requests: Site requests are allowed only when the gate house is
manned on a daily basis. A primary camper may request to move to a
vacant campsite at anytime. A primary camper may also request to move to
an occupied site up to one day ahead of that site's due date. You will
receive a document for this request showing time and date request is
made. If the requested site renews for one more additional night, then
your request will stand. If the requested site comes up and renews for
two or more additional nights, your request will become null and void.
You may make only one request at a time. Extra vehicles may not make
requests. If your requested site checks out, you must move immediately,
if you do not complete your move by 2 p.m. you will lose the requested
site.

Directions

From
downtown Santa
Barbara, take the 101 freeway north and drive 35 miles (35 minutes) until you reach the
Highway 1/Lompoc/Vandenberg
exit. Turn left and drive 14 miles (15 minutes) until you reach the Jalama Road exit.
Turn left
on Jalama Road and drive a very curvy 14 miles (25 minutes) until you
reach Jalama Beach.